Aisle Containment System

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to an adjustable transparent vertical wall in an aisle containment system. The adjustable transparent vertical wall includes a fixed lower panel and a movable upper panel. The movable upper panel is adjustable to the required ceiling height.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.13/105,165, filed May 11, 2011, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/334,220, filed May 13, 2010; U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/366,797, filed Jul. 22, 2010; U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/374,663, filed Aug. 18, 2010; and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/379,794, filed Sep. 3, 2010, the subjectmatter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aisle containment system, and moreparticularly to a transparent adjustable wall mounted to the top of acabinet in an aisle containment system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an aisle containment system. Theaisle containment system includes a plurality of cabinets, a pluralityof vertical panels and a door assembly. The cabinets are arranged in afirst row and a second row opposite the first row defining an aisletherebetween. The vertical panels include a fixed lower panel and atelescoping upper panel. The lower panels are secured to the top of thecabinets and the telescoping upper panels extend from the lower panelsto the room ceiling. The door assembly is secured to an end of thecabinets and extends across the aisle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aisle containment system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the aisle containmentsystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cabinet vertical panel for the aislecontainment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate cabinet vertical panel forthe aisle containment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cabinet vertical panel of FIG. 3,before a right angle spacer bar is mounted to the cabinet verticalpanel.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cabinet vertical panel of FIG.3, after the right angle spacer bar is mounted to the cabinet verticalpanel.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cross tee for the aisle containmentsystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a portion of the cross tee of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of the crosstee of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the cross tee of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an end portion of an alternate crosstee for the aisle containment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the cross tee of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an end portion of an alternate crossbeam for the aisle containment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the cross beam of FIG. 13

FIG. 15 is an end view of the cross tee of FIG. 10 supporting a ceilinglight fixture box frame.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of portions of the cross tees of FIG. 7positioned on the cabinet vertical panels of FIG. 3.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of detail 17 in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of the clamp and screw of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a top view of a portion of the right angle spacer bar of FIG.6, showing a mounting hole location for a minimum aisle width.

FIG. 20 is a top view of a portion of the right angle spacer bar of FIG.6, showing a mounting hole location for a maximum aisle width.

FIG. 21 is an end view of the cross tee of FIG. 10 supporting a ceilingpanel with a clamp in the unlocked position.

FIG. 22 is an end view of the cross tee of FIG. 10 supporting a ceilingpanel with a clamp in the locked position.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the doorassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the aislecontainment system of FIG. 1, showing a secondary cross tee mountedbetween two cross tees of FIG. 7.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of detail 25 in FIG. 24, showingthe secondary cross tee before mounting between two cross tees of FIG.7.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the aislecontainment system of FIG. 1, showing a fire suppression cross teemounted between two cross tees of FIG. 7.

FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of detail 27 in FIG. 26, showingthe fire suppression cross tee before mounting between two cross tees ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 28 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a portion of the aislecontainment system of FIG. 1, showing a light fixture cross tee mountedbetween two cross tees of FIG. 7.

FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of the light fixture cross tee of FIG.28.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a portion of the aisle containmentsystem of FIG. 1, showing two fire suppression cross tees with integrallight fixtures mounted between two cross tees of FIG. 7 and before anair duct is installed between the secondary cross tees.

FIG. 31 is a top view of the aisle containment system of FIG. 30,showing three air ducts installed between secondary cross tees.

FIG. 32 is an end view of the aisle containment system of FIG. 31,showing one ceiling panel in the open position.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the aisle containment system of FIG. 1,after the cabinet vertical panels have been secured to the additionalcabinets and prior to vertical blank panels being secured to the cabinetvertical panels and cabinets.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an alternate door assembly for theaisle containment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a door frame for the door assembly ofFIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of the doorframe of FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is an exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the doorframe of FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is an enlarged perspective view of a transom for the doorassembly of FIG. 34.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a portion of the transom of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the transom ofFIG. 38, before the transom is attached to the top cap of the networkcabinet.

FIG. 41 is an exploded perspective view of a side skirt for the doorassembly of FIG. 34, before the side skirt is attached to the bottom ofthe network cabinet.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the side skirt of FIG. 41, after theside skirt is attached to the bottom of the network cabinet.

FIG. 43 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the doorassembly of FIG. 34, before the door frame is attached to the lower postsupport and the side skirt.

FIG. 44 is a front perspective view of a portion of the door assembly ofFIG. 34, after the door frame is attached to the transom.

FIG. 45 is a rear perspective view of the transom of FIG. 44, after thedoor frame is attached to the transom.

FIG. 46 is a partially exploded perspective view of the door assembly ofFIG. 34, before covers are placed over the transom and the header.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the aisle containment system of FIG. 1with telescoping vertical panels.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the back side of the telescopingvertical panel of FIG. 47 mounted to a cabinet.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the upper panel side gasket and thelower panel of the telescoping vertical panel of FIG. 48.

FIG. 49 a is a cross sectional view of the tube gasket of FIG. 49uncompressed.

FIG. 49 b is a cross sectional view of the tube gasket of FIG. 49compressed.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the lower panel of the telescopingvertical panel of FIG. 48 with flared edges.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the front side of the telescopingvertical panel of FIG. 47 mounted to a cabinet.

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a pawl assembly attached to the lowerpanel of FIG. 51.

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the pawl and rod assembly of thetelescoping vertical panel of FIG. 51.

FIG. 54 is a cross sectional view of the pawl and rod assembly of FIG.53.

FIG. 55 is a front perspective view of the telescoping vertical panelsof FIG. 47.

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the mounting tabs of the telescopingvertical panel of FIG. 47.

FIG. 57 is a front view of the telescoping vertical panels of FIG. 47secured to the door assembly.

FIG. 58 is a cross sectional view of the telescoping vertical panel ofFIG. 57 secured to the door assembly.

FIG. 59 is a side perspective view of the telescoping vertical panel ofFIG. 57 secured above the door assembly.

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of an alternative telescoping verticalpanel mounted along the edge of the cabinet.

FIG. 61 is a front view of the slots in the flanges of the telescopingvertical panel of FIG. 60.

FIG. 62 is a front view of the slots in the flanges of the telescopingvertical panel of FIG. 61.

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of one side of the lower panel and theupper panel of the telescoping vertical panel of FIG. 60 securedtogether via a bolt and a nut.

FIG. 64 is a top view of the sides of the telescoping vertical panel ofFIG. 63.

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of an adjustable wall mounted to a cabinetwith the movable upper panel being retracted.

FIG. 66 is a partial perspective view of a top corner of the adjustablewall of FIG. 65.

FIG. 67 is a partial top view of the adjustable wall of FIG. 65.

FIG. 68 is a partial bottom perspective view of the lower U-shapedchannel, the support frame, and the fixed lower panel of the adjustablewall of FIG. 65.

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of the adjustable wall of FIG. 65 mountedto a cabinet with the movable upper panel extended.

FIG. 70 is a partial top perspective view of the upper U shaped channeland the movable upper panel of FIG. 69.

FIG. 71 is a partial top view of two extended adjustable walls mountedon adjacent cabinets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-33 illustrate an aisle containment system 40 according to anembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, aislecontainment system 40 is mounted to two rows 42, 44 of three equal widthcabinets 46 (800 mm shown). However, the cabinet widths may be anycombination of 600 mm, 700 mm and 800 mm. Preferably, the aisle width is6 feet. Aisle containment system 40 includes a door assembly 48 on eachend of each row 42, 44, cabinet vertical panels, door frame verticalpanels, cross tees and ceiling panels.

FIG. 3 shows vertical panel 50 that attaches to the top of a cabinet,such as Panduit Corp.'s Net-Access™ cabinet. Vertical panel 50 includesthree mounting studs 52 on the bottom surface that match the standardmounting holes on top of the cabinet. Pairs of extruded tapped holes 54are spaced at 100 mm increments on top flange 56 of vertical panel 50for securing cross tees to top flange 56, because 100 mm is the largestcommon multiple of the cabinet widths of 600 mm, 700 mm and 800 mm. Inone configuration, the spacing between each tapped hole 54 is 50 mm.Vertical panel 50 may also include extruded tapped holes 58 on its sideflanges 60 for securing adjacent vertical panels 50.

FIG. 4 shows vertical panel 62 that attaches to the top of a cabinet,such as Panduit Corp.'s Net-Serv™ cabinet. Vertical panel 62 includestwo mounting holes 64 on bottom flange 66 that are used to bolt verticalpanel 62 to the top of the cabinet of corresponding width. Bottom flange66 also includes three clearance holes 68 that allow for clearancearound the head of fasteners that attach the top of the cabinet to theframe. Specifically, Panduit Corp.'s Net-Serv™ cabinet has bolts withwashers that stand about 3/16 inches above the top of the cabinet. Pairsof extruded tapped holes 70 are spaced at 100 mm increments on topflange 72 of vertical panel 62 for securing cross tees to top flange 72,because 100 mm is the largest common multiple of the cabinet widths of600 mm, 700 mm and 800 mm. In one configuration, the spacing betweeneach tapped hole 70 is 50 mm. Vertical panel 62 may also includeextruded tapped holes 74 on its side flanges 76 for securing adjacentvertical panels 62.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, vertical panels 50 have a right angle spacerbar 78 mounted to top flange 56 with screws 80. Right angle spacer bar78 may vary in size to accommodate 600 mm, 700 mm and 800 mm verticalpanels. The thickness of flange 82 is the same thickness as flange 84 ofcross tee 86, which creates a flat plane for sealing the perimeter ofceiling panel 88. Right angle spacer bar 78 also provides stop 90 thatcontains ceiling panel 88 in the proper position.

FIGS. 7-14 show two cross tees and a cross beam. FIGS. 7-10 show crosstee 86; FIGS. 11 and 12 show cross tee 92; and FIGS. 13 and 14 showcross beam 94.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show cross tee 86 having a flange 84 on each side ofcenter vertical web 96. Center vertical web 96 provides strength andstiffness to minimize deflection of cross tee 86 under load, and flanges84 support ceiling panels 88. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, center verticalweb 96 may include mounting holes 98 for securing secondary cross teesto cross tee 86. Preferably, cross tee 86 is 1.5 inches wide, with eachflange 84 being 0.625 inches wide and center vertical web 96 being 0.25inches wide. Also, cross tee 86 is preferably 1.55 inches in height. Asbest seen in FIG. 10, seam 100 is located at the apex of center verticalweb 96.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show cross tee 92. Cross tee 92 is identical to crosstee 86, except seam 102 is located on the flange side of cross tee 92.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show cross beam 94. Cross beam 94 is wider than crosstees 86 and 92. Preferably, cross beam 94 is 2.39 inches wide, with eachflange 104 being 0.625 inches wide and center vertical web 106 being1.14 inches wide.

In a raised floor environment, no ceiling ducts or grates are requiredfor an aisle containment installation. However, in a slab floorenvironment, ducts are required and light fixtures in the ceiling may berequired. FIG. 15 shows that the profile of cross tee 86 is compatiblewith a standard suspended ceiling light fixture frame 108, whichaccommodates standard fluorescent fixtures.

Aisle containment system 40 shown in FIG. 1 includes two rows 42 and 44of three equal width cabinets 46 (800 mm). Vertical panels 50 or 62allow the use of any cabinet width which is a multiple of 100 mm incombination with any ceiling tile width which is a multiple of 100 mm.As best seen in FIG. 16, an 800 mm right angle spacer bar is utilizedwith an 800 mm ceiling panel 88, and a 600 mm right angle spacer bar isutilized with a 600 mm ceiling panel 89.

There are some large tolerances involved when installing cabinets in anaisle containment system. Examples include levelness of floor,perpendicularity of cabinet to floor, allowable manufacturingtolerances, and material variances. In order to account for thesetolerances, clamp 110 and screw 112 may be used to secure cross tee 86to vertical panels 50 as shown in FIG. 17. When clamps 110 are loose,cross tee 86 may be properly positioned relative to other cross tees.When cross tee 86 is positioned properly, screws 112 may be tightened tosecure cross tee 86 to vertical panels 50. As best seen in FIG. 18,contact surface 114 may be grooved or textured to provide additionalclamping strength and ground connection. Also, flange 84 may includeuncoated areas 116 to improve grounding between clamp 110 and cross tee86.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show the minimum and maximum positions of aisle width,respectively. The tolerance of the aisle width is 0.625 inches,approximately 0.313 inches on each side. Thus, in the minimum position,the aisle width is approximately 71.687 inches. In the maximum position,the aisle width is approximately 72.313 inches.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show ceiling panels 88 being secured to cross tee 86.Ceiling panel 88 has holes at each corner, and ceiling panel 88 ispositioned on either flange 84 of cross tee 86. A quarter turn hold-downclamp 118 is mounted in the corners of ceiling panel 88, and clamp 118is rotated 90 degrees from the unlocked to the locked position.

FIG. 23 shows door assembly 48. Two support posts 120 extend from thefloor to the top of vertical panels 121. Beam 122 is positioned on topof doors 124 and between support posts 120. Vertical panels 121 arebolted to the top of beam 122, and vertical panels 121 are bolted tosupport posts 120. Cross tee 86 is clamped to the top of vertical panels121.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show secondary cross tee 126 mounted between two crosstees 86 to divide ceiling panel 88 into two smaller panels for easierhandling. Cross tee 126 has end flanges 128 including holes 130 tosecure cross tee 86. Cross tee 86 has a plurality of holes 98 formounting cross tee 126 in multiple locations, and cross tee 126 has alower flange 134 cut back to drop down between two cross tees 86 so thatall the flanges are in the same plane. Ceiling panels 88 can be cut tovarious sizes depending on the location of cross tee 126.

FIGS. 26 and 27 show fire suppression cross tee 136 mounted between twocross tees 86. Cross tee 136 has an access hole 138 that allows firesuppression components to penetrate from overhead into the aislecontainment area. Preferably, access hole 138 has a three inch diameter.Cross tee 136 can be bolted into cross tees 86 in the same holes 98 assecondary cross tee 126 described in FIGS. 24 and 25. Cross tee 136 hasa lower flange 140 cut back to drop down between two cross tees 86 sothat all the flanges are in the same plane. Ceiling panels 88 can be cutto various sizes depending on the location of cross tee 136.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show light fixture cross tee 142 mounted between twocross tees 86. Cross tee 142 has an integral light fixture 144 thatspans the entire distance between cross tees 86 to maximize the light inthe aisle. Lens 146 is flush with the aisle containment ceiling, asshown in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 shows air duct 148 mounted between cross tees 86. Two firesuppression cross tees 150 with integral light fixtures are bolted tocross tees 86 on the sides of air duct 148 for sealing and additionalsupport. Ceiling panels 152 can be installed to seal the remainder ofthe section and provide access above the ceiling area. Cross tee 150 isa combination of cross tee 136 and cross tee 142, except cross tee 150has two access holes 154 that allow fire suppression components topenetrate from overhead into the aisle containment area. Light fixturesare positioned between the fire suppression components to illuminate theaisle.

FIG. 31 shows multiple air ducts 148 installed in aisle containmentsystem 40. Air ducts 148 can be various dimensions depending on the airhandling requirements. Unused access holes 154 will be sealed, and lightfixtures 155 provide additional lighting within the aisle. As best seenin FIG. 32, ceiling panels 152 can be lifted to provide access to thearea above the aisle containment, which may include power bus 156.

If multiple width cabinets exist in the aisle containment system, theremay be a need for vertical blank panels 158. Preferably, vertical blankpanel 158 is 100 mm wide. FIG. 33 shows a 600 mm wide cabinet 160 beingadded to row 42, and a 700 mm wide cabinet 162 being added to row 44.Thus, vertical blank panel 158 is secured to cabinet 160 to equalize thelengths of the two rows at 700 mm. However, each row 42, 44 consists ofthree 800 mm wide cabinets 46. In order to maintain the same ceilingpanel width (800 mm) throughout the aisle containment system, onevertical blank panel 158 is secured to cabinet 162, and one verticalblank panel 158 is secured to vertical blank panel 158.

FIGS. 34-46 show door assembly 200. Preferably, each door 202 is astandard 36″ steel door with half windows 204. Doors 202 have closers206 with hold-open features and do not latch or lock. However, latchingand locking features can be added to doors 202. Although only one pairof network cabinets is shown in FIG. 34, more cabinets are typicallyused and another door assembly 200 is positioned at the other end of thecontainment aisle. Door assembly 200 is mounted to two rows of cabinetsspaced 6 feet apart. However, the two rows of cabinets may be spacedonly 4 feet apart, using the same door posts, but shorter header,transom and covers along with narrower doors.

FIG. 35-37 shows door frame 208. Door frame 208 includes two door posts210 and header 212. Each post 210 is attached to header 212 using screws214, as shown in FIG. 36. Post 210 has horizontal slot 216 to provide alocation for header 212. As shown in FIG. 37, bottom 218 of header 212slides into slot 216 to ensure that header 212 is at the correct height.Foam seals may be attached to flanges on the back side of door posts210, and the foam seals would press against the cabinet side panels.

FIGS. 38-40 show transom 220. Transom 220 is a panel that fills the areaabove door frame 208 up to the containment ceiling. Transom 220 attachesto the vertical containment walls and the cabinet top cap. Becausetransom 220 is attached to the cabinet and walls, it moves up and downwith the cabinet as the leveling legs are adjusted. As shown in FIG. 39,cross-aisle tee beam 222 attaches to the top of transom 220 and an openhem 224 across the top of transom 220 hooks over one leg of tee beam222. Open hem 224 provides an assembly aid when attaching transom 220 toholes in the cabinet top cap (see FIG. 40). Horizontal slots 226 intransom 220 provide adjustability, so that transom 220 can be adjustedleft or right to ensure that door posts 210 are vertical.

FIGS. 41-46 show the steps for attaching door assembly 200 to one end oftwo rows of network cabinets. First, brackets 228 attach to door shoe230, and slots 232 in brackets 228 allow for in and out adjustment ofdoor posts 210 to ensure that they are vertical. The cabinet side panelmay be removed to ease installation of brackets 228, but the side panelmust be installed before attaching side skirt 234. Next, side skirt 234attaches to brackets 228. Side skirt 234 rests on the floor and is heldagainst the cabinet side panel to prevent air leakage, as shown in FIG.42. Vertical slots 236 in side skirt 234 allow for the cabinet to beraised off the floor by casters or leveling legs, while side skirt 234remains in contact with the floor. Flange 238 on the bottom of sideskirt 234 tucks under the cabinet.

As shown in FIG. 42, lower post support 240 attaches to side skirt 234.Support 240 has slots 242 which allows it to adjust horizontally. Thisadjustment allows door posts 210 to be mounted 6 feet apart, even if thecabinets are spaced slightly more or less than 6 feet apart. Next, doorpost 210 is placed over lower post support 240 and attached with screws244 as shown in FIG. 14. Then, door frame 208 is aligned with transom220 and attached to transom 220 from inside the containment aisle asshown in FIG. 45. Because transom 220 has vertical adjustment slots 227,the height of transom 220 is adjustable as the leveling legs areadjusted on the cabinets. However, door frame 208 remains on the floor.

As shown in FIG. 46, covers 246, 248 are attached over header 212 andtransom 220 to provide a clean, aesthetic look to door assembly 200.Finally, doors 202, closers 206 and perimeter seals for doors 202 areattached to door frame 208 to complete door assembly 200. Door assembly200 can be attached to the other end of the containment aisle in asimilar manner.

FIGS. 47-59 show telescoping vertical panels 300 attached to the aislecontainment system. The telescoping vertical panels 300 are used with anaisle containment system that uses an existing ceiling as a roof insteadof cross tees and panels as shown in FIGS. 1-46. The telescopingvertical panels 300 extend to the room ceiling to reduce the mixing ofhot air and cold air in the aisle containment system. The telescopingvertical panels 300 may be used with any combination of 600, 700 and 800mm width cabinets. The aisle width can be 4 feet or 6 feet.

FIG. 48 shows a telescoping vertical panel 300 secured to a cabinet 46.The telescoping vertical panel 300 includes a lower fixed panel 302 andan upper panel 304. The lower panel 302 is mounted to the top of thecabinet 46 with two bolts 306. The lower panel 302 also includesmounting tabs 308 for joining adjacent lower panels 302 together.

The sides 310 of the lower panel 302 include flanges 312 that wraparound the upper panel 304 to support and guide the upper panel 304.

The sides 310 of the lower panel 302 and the sides 320 of the upperpanel 304 include a gasket 316, 322, respectively, to provide a sealbetween adjacent vertical panels 300. A gasket 324 is also attached tothe top of the upper panel 304 to seal the upper panels 304 to the roomceiling. The top gasket 324 will compress when in contact with the roomceiling (not illustrated).

FIGS. 49-50 show the interface of the upper panel side gasket 322 andthe lower panel 302. The side gasket 316 of the lower panel 302 isstationary. The upper panel side gasket 322 slides into a cavity 314formed by the flanges 312 of the lower panel 302. As illustrated in FIG.49, the side gasket 322 of the upper panel 304 may be rounded to helpthe side gasket slide into the cavity 314. FIG. 49 a shows the sidegasket 322 of the upper panel 304 uncompressed and FIG. 49 b shows theside gasket 322 of the upper panel 304 compressed in the cavity 314. Theside gasket 322 of the upper panel 304 is undersized in width so thecompressed side gasket 322 will not interfere with the flanges 312 ofthe lower panel 302. For example, the width of the upper panel sidegasket can be 0.5″ and the cavity width without flared edges is 0.75″leaving 0.125″ clearance on each side for the compressed gasket.

FIG. 50 shows the lower panel 302 having edges 318 that are flared tohelp guide a rectangular side gasket 322 of the upper panel 304 into thecavity 314.

FIGS. 51-54 show the pawl assembly 330 that secures the upper panel 304of the telescoping vertical panel 300 in an extended position. The pawlassembly 330 is similar to the pawl assembly disclosed in commonly ownedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/731,877. The pawl assembly 330 isattached to the lower panel 302 of the telescoping vertical panel 300.The pawl assembly 330 includes a channel 332, a pawl lever 334 with pawlteeth 336 and a lockout lever 338. The lockout lever 338 prevents thepawl lever 334 from being accidentally actuated to release the upperpanel 304.

A flat bar 340 is attached to the upper panel 304. As shown in FIGS.53-54, the flat bar 340 is positioned in the channel 332 of the pawlassembly 330. The pawl teeth 336 on the pawl lever 334 grip the flat bar340 to prevent the upper panel 304 from moving vertically. To lower theupper panel 304, the pawl lever 334 is pushed toward the vertical panel300. As the pawl lever 334 rotates, the pawl teeth 336 are disengagedfrom the flat bar 340 and the upper panel 304 can be moved downward.When the pawl assembly 330 rests on the bottom 342 of the flat bar 340,there is a 4 inch overlap between the upper panel 304 and the lowerpanel 302.

FIG. 55 is a front view of adjacent telescoping vertical panels 300secured to cabinets 46 in the aisle containment system. The adjacentlower panels 302 are secured together by mounting tabs 308. Once theupper panels 304 are extended to the room ceiling, a ganging bracket 326is bolted to adjacent upper panels 304 to keep the vertical panels 300in line and to minimize gaps between the vertical panels 300.

FIG. 56 shows the panel mounting tab 308. The mounting tab 308 is usedto secure adjacent lower panels 302 together.

FIGS. 57-58 show the telescoping vertical panels 300 mounted above thedoor assembly 200. The telescoping vertical panel 300 is attached to anangle bracket 350 that is attached to the header 212 of the doorassembly 200.

FIG. 59 shows the side gasket of the door panels forming a seal with thevertical panels 300 above the cabinets 46. A panel to panel bracket 352allows the use of two panel mounting tabs 308 to secure the door panelsto the lower panel 302.

FIGS. 60-64 show an alternative telescoping vertical panel 400 mountedto the cabinet 46. The vertical panel 400 includes a fixed lower panel402 and an adjustable upper panel 412. The lower panel 402 is mountedalong an edge of the cabinet 46 via a mounting flange 404. The lowerpanel 402 and the upper panel 412 each include sides 406, 414 with aflange 408, 416, respectively. The thickness of flanges 408, 416 can beincreased to provide stability to vertical panel 400. The sides 406 ofthe lower panel 402 receive the sides 414 of the upper panel 412 (seeFIG. 64). The upper panel 412 also includes a foam seal 420 positionedalong the top of the upper panel 412. The foam seal 420 enables theupper panel 412 to form a seal with the room ceiling.

The flange 408 of the lower panel 402 and the flange 416 of the upperpanel 412 each include a plurality of slots 410, 418, respectively. Theslots 410, 418 have a width “W” designed to receive bolts 430, or otherfasteners, having a diameter less than W. The slots 410, 418 are locateda length “S” apart from each other such that the distance from thebottom of slot 410, 418 to the top of slot 410, 418 is “S+2W.”

As illustrated in FIGS. 62 and 63, when the upper panel 412 is raised,the slots align to create an opening for receiving the bolt 430 tosecure the upper panel 412 to the lower panel 402.

FIGS. 65-71 illustrate a transparent adjustable vertical wall 500mounted to cabinets 46 in an aisle containment system. The transparentadjustable vertical wall 500 may be used with either a hot aisle or acold aisle containment system. FIG. 65 illustrates the adjustable wall500 mounted to a cabinet 46 with a movable upper panel 512 (see FIG. 69)being retracted.

FIGS. 66-68 illustrate detailed views of the adjustable wall 500 of FIG.65. FIG. 66 illustrates a top corner of the adjustable wall 500 with themovable upper panel 512 being retracted. The fixed lower panel 502 isattached to a support frame 504 on each side of the fixed lower panel502 via screws 506 threaded into the fixed lower panel 502, or with flathead screws from the opposite direction.

The movable upper panel 512 includes an edge frame 514 on each side ofthe movable upper panel 512. The edge frame 514 is positioned withinpockets 508 formed by the support frames 504. Each edge frame 514 of themovable upper panel 512 moves within the pockets 508 to adjust theheight of the movable upper panel 512. Locking bolts 516 and PEM nuts518 secure the movable upper panel 512 to the support frame 504. Asillustrated in FIGS. 66 and 67, a locking bolt 516 and a PEM nut 518holds the movable upper panel 512 in position.

The adjustable wall 500 is secured to a lower U-shaped channel 520 thatis mounted to the top edge of a cabinet 46 in an aisle containmentsystem. As illustrated in FIGS. 67 and 68, the support frame 504attached to the fixed lower panel 502 is positioned within the lowerU-shaped channel 520. A mounting screw 522 is threaded into the fixedlower panel 502 to secure the support frame 504 and fixed lower panel502 to the lower U-shaped channel 520.

FIG. 69 illustrates the movable upper panel 512 of the adjustable wall500 extended to the inverted upper U-shaped channel 530 that is attachedto the ceiling. As illustrated in FIG. 70, the upper U-shaped channel530 may include a foam seal 532, if desired, that extends the length ofthe upper U-shaped channel 530. The upper U-shaped channel 530 spans thelength of multiple cabinets 46 in the aisle containment system. The edgeframe 514 and the movable upper panel 512 extend to the upper U-shapedchannel 530 until they engage the foam seal 532.

FIG. 71 is a top view of an adjustable wall 500 mounted to adjacentcabinets. The movable upper panels 512 have been extended and the upperU-shaped channel 530 has been removed for clarity. Once the adjustablewalls 500 have been mounted, a rubber arrow head seal 542 is installedin the gap 540 between the adjacent adjustable walls 500. The rubberarrow head seal 542 fills the gap 540 since the seal 542 is pressed intothe gap 540 after the movable upper panels 512 have been extended to theceiling.

The fixed lower panel 502 and the upper movable upper panel 512 areformed from a transparent material, such as polycarbonate or acrylic.The transparent adjustable wall of the present invention provides lightfrom either side of the aisle containment system.

1. An aisle containment system comprising: a plurality of cabinetsarranged in a first row and a second row opposite the first row definingan aisle therebetween; and a plurality of transparent adjustablevertical panels secured to a top of the cabinets; wherein thetransparent adjustable vertical panels include a fixed lower panel and amovable upper panel, whereby the transparent adjustable vertical panelprovides light from either side of the aisle containment system.
 2. Theaisle containment system of claim 1, wherein the fixed lower panelhaving a support frame on each side of the fixed lower panel, eachsupport frame including a pocket; and wherein the movable upper panelhaving an edge frame on each side of the movable upper panel, whereinthe edge frames are positioned within the pockets of the support frames.3. The aisle containment system of claim 2, wherein the movable upperpanel is secured to the support frame by bolts.
 4. The aisle containmentsystem of claim 1, wherein an upper U-shaped channel is mounted to aceiling, the movable upper panel extends to the upper U-shaped channel.5. The aisle containment system of claim 1, wherein a lower U-shapedchannel is mounted to the top of the cabinet for receiving the fixedlower panel.